Remember—the next two Saturdays (2/28, 3/7), we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, and as a family we will pray the memorial service for the Saturday of the Souls. Profound and embracing that our Christian tradition supports the experience of praying for the souls of our beloved brothers and sisters who have died before us. If you have not already, please e-mail the church office a list of the names of your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord, so that they may be prayed for by the Church during these Divine Services.
May their memories be eternal!
“Can he have God as his Father, before he has had the Church as his mother?”
- Saint Cyprian
Saint Cyprian reveals to us the necessary relationship we have to Christ’s Church. As our relationship to God is imperative for our souls, the relationship to the Church is necessary, so that we may be recipients and holistic benefactors of the relationship with God. The popular thought, “I am spiritual, but not religious…” does not hold water when viewed via the perception of God’s Word, and His Will.
Together we must help one another focus on the reality that true spirituality is the development of God’s love in our relationships with others—and this process is supported, facilitated, experienced, and fueled through God’s Church. Let us be spiritual together—let us both receive Holy Communion this Sunday at the Divine Liturgy! I hope to see you there—you are invited!!!
When was the last time you were in Sunday School? When was the last time you spoke to your children, if you have any, about the importance of learning about our Lord and His Church? Contact the Saint Basil church office (209) 478-7564, to sign your child up for our Sunday School program (yes, they can jump right in even though it is February), and other youth oriented ministry programs.
“Of all the holy works, the education of children is the most holy.”
- Saint Theophan
I can not believe that tomorrow will be my last few hours in Greece, as I leave in the afternoon for Munich, Germany for an overnight layover, then return home to America. The departure will be bitter-sweet as I wish I had more time to further experience the history and foundations of the Church in this homeland—but I am so anxious to return home, to the Church that I serve, and of course the family I love, which waits for me after these long days.
I have been taking advantage of the fact that this week is a non-fasting week, and I must confess to having gained a bit of weight—too many Gyros! But even with such a short visit as this, I still succumbed to American consumerism, and ate at Pizza Hut this evening!!!
Please pray for Father Chris and me as we begin our journey back home tomorrow, and know that we will pray for all of you—specifically when I light a candle for you at the historic Church of Saint Dimitrios tomorrow morning!
God Bless,
+Fr Luke
Back from Cyprus, and what an experience! Father Chris and I were blessed to receive the hospitality from Kykkos Monastery, which is beautifully situated in the mountains of Cyprus—providing an environment of solace and prayer (between visitors hours). As you can see in the pictures, even the hallways outdoors are covered in magnificent iconography—telling the stories of the life of Christ, Creation, history of the Monastery, and much, much more! In addition to Kykkos, we were able to visit other historic Churches and monasteries such as: Monastery of St Neophytos, Monastery of St Nikolas, Monastery of Stavrovouni, and the Church of St Lazarus. In addition to these sites, we were blessed to visit the Metokion of Kykkos Monstery located in the town of Nikocia. At this beautiful Monastery, we venerated iconography which is beyond words—mosaics with pieces no larger than a millimeter squared! ...and at this beautiful pilgrimage site, they even have a zoo!
As blessed of an experience as the Cyprus visit was, it was equally depressing when we saw the wall that separates Cyprus from the 1/3 that is still under Turkish occupation! How embarrassing it is that the only two countries that do not recognize this as an occupation are Turkey, and our own United States of America. Let us all pray that God will continue to provide strength to the Cypriot people as they struggle one day liberate themselves from the continued experience of Turkish/Muslim oppression that the Hellenic world has felt for so many centuries!
While traveling through Cyprus to the various monasteries, a climax was experienced! A humble and loving monk from the island of Cyprus gifted the community of Saint Basil, through our Metropolitan Gerasimos, a Holy Relic of our Patron and Intercessor Saint Basil the Great! I was, and am, completely awe-inspired to carry in my unworthy hands the bone of this most holy Saint of Christ’s Church. Imagine that what I hold in my hands now, and what will bless the Church of Saint Basil in Stockton, is the same Saint who was a brilliant scholar, the same Saint who defended Christianity against the heresies of the 4th Century, the same Saint who organized communal monasticism, the same Saint who organized liturgical services, the same Saint developed ageless theology, etc…—the same Saint that prays for us on a daily basis!!!
I continue to be humbled as I now prepare to bring this Holy Relic back to America, California, and the Church of Saint Basil.
God bless you , and I will see you in a few days…
+Father Luke
I am at the Holy Monastery of Kykkos, in Cyprus. After less than 24 hours I am awed and humbled by the great sense of peacefulness - especially on an island under persecution and partial occupation from the barbaric Turks. After liturgy this morning, which took 30 minutes, I was able to venerate multiple relics, including: St John Chrysostom, St Marina, the Apostle Barnabas, St Polycarp (the subject of my Patrology final in Seminary), and an icon of the Panagia, which was written by Saint Luke!
Yesterday we went to a Church built on the tomb of St Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and we venerated his relics! Pictures are posted of thud apostolic church.
May God bless you all, and please pray for me.
With Paternal Love in Christ,
+Fr Luke
What an experience to serve the Divine Liturgy this morning with Father Chris, and Father Athinagoras at the Church of Saint Nektarios in Thessaloniki! ...in the country from where my grandparents came, and in a city where Saint Paul founded the Church! With a bit of anxiety, I addressed the community after the service—all in Greek! The people were hospitable and received us with love and respect. After the Divine Liturgy we played with some of the children, and spent time with a few gentlemen from the community who asked about American topics, ranging from Church Life - Monasticism - Politics - Jennifer Lopez and 50 Cent! One gentleman even had an iPhone! A great experience!
Now we will fly to the island of Cyprus to visit the Byzantine founded Holy Monastery of Kykkos. May God be with us, and all of you!
H Panagia Mazi mas,
+Fr Luke
Today I spent the day walking through out the downtown Thessaloniki area, traveling from historic Church to historic Church. I had the opportunity to venerate the relics of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia, Osios David of Thessaloniki, and Saint Theodora of Thessaloniki! To see the physical product of hundreds of years invested into these beautiful Churches, it filled me with HOPE & COURAGE (to use the words of Fr. Iosaf), as we humbly strive to establish the same experience in America. This is why it is of such importance and beauty that we are receiving a relic of our Holy Patron Saint Basil—we are continuing to build Christian history in America, specifically in Stockton! Please view the many pictures from today’s travels throughout multiple Churches in Thessaloniki, including: Panagia Dexia, Panagia Chalceon, Monastery of Saint Theodora, St. John the Baptist, and Saint Sofia! By the way—as you can see in the pictures section, today I had the best lunch in the world…an authentic Greek Gyro!!!
God Bless us,
+Fr Luke
A Few Notes from Fr. Chris Flesoras of the Parish of St. Anna in Roseville, CA
Stewards and Friends of St. Anna Church,
Greetings from Greece! I pray this note finds all of you well. It has been a most blessed trip with Fr. Luke. We arrived safely in Greece on Tuesday evening and have stayed extremely busy since then.
On Wednesday morning, we were received by Fr. Cherubim Apostolou at the house of the Theophileon Brotherhood in Thessaloniki. It’s a modest but elegant home situated around the corner from St. Demetrios Church. It was good to speak with Fr. Cherubim, learning of his ministry at the eleventh century church of Panagia Chalkeon in Aristoteli Square. We were also able to set my travel to the Skete of Saint Anna for the next day.
Later this afternoon, we met with the silversmith who has produced many of the ecclesiastical items for our parish (vigil lights, chalice set, censor, etc.). It was a blessing being able to visit George as well as order a few needed items for our parish.
We also made a stop at the Church of St. Demetrius to receive the blessing of the patron of Thessaloniki. Such a beautiful Church and such a wondrous saint!
In the eve, I was able to spend some time with Fr. Cherubim as well as with another member of his brotherhood. We dined close to the Church of St. Demetrius and walked a bit around the city. It was a late night in anticipation of an early morning to depart for the Skete.
I awoke after a few hours sleep to depart by taxi to Ouranopolis, the port city where pilgrims depart for the monasteries of Athos. To my surprise and joy, I traveled on the boat, “the little boat of St. Anna”, with a monk, Fr. Dionysius, whom I had met in 2005. His kaliva (home) venerates the Great Martyr George (this is the house from which we purchase our incense for our parish). We clipped across the waves stopping briefly at the port of Daphne on Mount Athos, and then arriving at the Skete.
What a great joy to return! Fr. Theophilos was waiting for me with two mules, one for my bags and a second for him to lead the pack mule up the hill. So, up the 2,000 plus steps to the house of the Theophileon Brotherhood. Needless to say, there are countless stories to share. At this point, I will limit my schedule to noting our work in the garden, the praying of services, a trip to the Kyriakon to venerate the Holy Relic of Saint Anna, the enjoyment of some great discussions, the eating of most tasty meals, and a restful night sleep (awaking at 4:30 for Liturgy).
I returned to Ouranopoli by boat, traveled by taxi to Thessaloniki, enjoyed an evening with Fr. Cherubim, and joined Fr. Luke, our host Alexia, a dear family friend of Fr. Luke’s family, and Fr. Athenagoras, a youthful, dynamic and compassionate priest of the region. We enjoyed a delightful dinner during which I learned of Fr. Athenagoras’ ministry to the gypsy children surrounding his parish (the neighborhood is crime ridden, drug infested, and is considered the poorest area of Thessaloniki. A video news story on his ministry is posted on the St. Basil website, . Although it is in Greek, the pictures speak a thousand words, not to mention that Fr. Luke is keeping a detailed blog in which he recounts his experiences and shares his thoughts.
Today it is back to Panagia Chalkeon to venerate the Holy Relics of the 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebasti. We will then meet with the iconographers who painted the beautiful icon that depicts the gifting of the Holy Relic of St. Anna that is placed in our church by our proskintaria (the place where we venerate the icons and light our candles. We will then meet with a woodworker regarding a few items for our parish, visiting a tailor for altar clothes, and visit a few friends in the evening.
Tomorrow we will pray services at St. Nectarios Church, the parish served by Fr. Athenagoras, to later depart for Cyprus. Again, I would encourage you to visit the St. Basil website for photos from Fr. Luke’s travels (including the monasteries of Meteora).
God’s continued blessings. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to offer our prayers for our parish families…
In Christ,
Fr. Christopher
Today was a day that I will always remember! Yes, this morning I visited the iconographer who wrote the hand-painted icon which will grace the interior lid of the relic box, housing the relic of Saint Basil the Great, which can be seen in our photos section. Yes, this morning I visited the wood-carver who is hand carving the wooden relic box that will house the Holy Relic, which also can be seen in the photos section. Yes, I purchased new Ecclesiastical items for the Holy Altar from a Master Silversmith, again, which may be seen in the photos section. However, one of the greatest blessings I have experienced came this evening in the poorest, most destitute, crime-ridden area of Thessaloniki!
I answered an invitation to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Nektarios, which is located in an environment fueled by crime and fear. The major industries are drug sales and prostitution, amongst a population made up of 80% Gypsies / Tsiganwn. This area is so feared that the police do not enter on a regular basis, and heroin sales are in the 100s each day! A very special priest, Father Athinagoras, was assigned to this community about 4 years ago, and miracles are taking place through his love!
Father Athinagoras has begun a program at Saint Nektarios serving the children of this area. These unfortunate children grow up in homes that are beyond my worst nightmares. One child I met today, 12 years old, has a father in prison, and a heroin addicted mother who decided to abandon her children a year ago! Did I mention that he is one of 12 children? This story is common in this area, where kids do not go to school, mainly because their parents will not take them. Glory to God - things are changing!
The program Father Athinagoras has begun serves these children in multiple facets. He walks the neighborhoods in the morning and wakes up the children to bring them to the Church. Throughout the day the children are fed multiple meals, receive schooling in subjects from Religious Education - Mathematics - Languages - etc… The children also learn Byzantine Music! The program lasts throughout the day, and serves a consistent 60 children daily. The program is housed in a once unfinished basement, which has now been transformed into three classrooms and a kitchen.
Each Friday evening the children, together with whomever else wishes, gather at the Church for the Divine Liturgy. As I drove into the area with Father Athinagoras, the children, ranging in age from 6 - 20, would call out his name and run after his car! A look of joy, relief, and hope came to their faces as they ran behind the car and chased their priest—perhaps the only person in life who has given them a chance. Upon arrival to the Church, the children would sound the alarm and announce throughout the neighborhoods that Father Athinagoras had arrived and Liturgy would soon start. As we began the service, over 30 Tsiganikia gathered into the altar, served as altar boys and chanted the service! The love and respect these children showed to Father Athinagoras proved that he is not only their Spiritual Father, but he is also a Daddy to them all!
Whereas before the police would ‘shake down the area’ once a month, now they call Father Athinagoras and ask him to speak to the people! Now, there are dozens of children who have hope where there was once only despair. Today, I was able to truly witness the Lord’s work in ‘the Liturgy outside of the Liturgy!’
Yet as I was filled with such awe and joy after serving with Father Athinagoras, I walked outside of the Church and saw multiple drug dealers lining the streets across from the Church. They were attempting to call the children over after they just served and received the Lord’s Supper! I was forced to remember the words of Father Iosaf from the Megalo Meteora Monastery—HOPE & COURAGE!
In the video section of our website, you may watch a new feature that was produced by a national news network in Greece, documenting the ministry of Father Athinagoras with the Tsiganwn! Please pray for Father Athinagoras, and all those whom he serves, as they are our brother-and-sisters-in-Christ!
Again, I remain humbled and thankful.
God Bless,
+Fr Luke